What are the responsibilities and job description for the EPSCoR Communications and Outreach Strategist position at Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement?
Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26218 For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Suzi Taylor
406-994-2336
taylor@montana.edu
Classification Title Communications Professional Working Title EPSCoR Communications and Outreach Strategist Brief Position Overview
The Montana NSF EPSCoR Communication and Outreach Strategist is responsible for leading, creating and implementing public information activities to serve the needs of and promote Montana’s currently funded statewide EPSCoR program, SMART FIRES (Sensors, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Real-Time Fire Science)
Position Number 4C4651 Department Sci Math Resource Center Division College of Education, Health & Human Development Appointment Type Professional Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation FTE 0.75 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary $26.44 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type LOA If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
This is a staff member housed within the Science Math Resource Center in the Department of Education (College of EHHD) and funded solely by and working for the NSF EPSCoR grant called “SMART FIRES.” SMART FIRES is a statewide project of the Montana University System, but this particular position is based at Montana State University-Bozeman.
Duties and Responsibilities
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? No
Posting Detail Information
Number Of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Upon Successful Completion Of The Search. Position End Date (if Temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications Will Be
Screening of applications will begin on December 26, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26218 For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Suzi Taylor
406-994-2336
taylor@montana.edu
Classification Title Communications Professional Working Title EPSCoR Communications and Outreach Strategist Brief Position Overview
The Montana NSF EPSCoR Communication and Outreach Strategist is responsible for leading, creating and implementing public information activities to serve the needs of and promote Montana’s currently funded statewide EPSCoR program, SMART FIRES (Sensors, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Real-Time Fire Science)
Position Number 4C4651 Department Sci Math Resource Center Division College of Education, Health & Human Development Appointment Type Professional Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation FTE 0.75 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary $26.44 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type LOA If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
This is a staff member housed within the Science Math Resource Center in the Department of Education (College of EHHD) and funded solely by and working for the NSF EPSCoR grant called “SMART FIRES.” SMART FIRES is a statewide project of the Montana University System, but this particular position is based at Montana State University-Bozeman.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Work with project administrators, EPSCoR leadership team and statewide collaborators to create, lead, implement and assess overall communications strategy to fulfill the requirements of the federally funded project.
- Create plans for communicating EPSCoR research findings and success stories with media, stakeholders, National Science Foundation, etc.
- Oversee undergraduate and graduate student interns who work to implement the communications strategy.
- Assist with compiling annual report narrative of impacts/highlights for federal agencies
- Assist with communications to project-funded participants, including faculty, staff and students
- Lead management of the EPSCoR website and social media channels, including content generation and updates
- In coordination with University Communications, initiate, write and disseminate content that furthers the promotion of Montana NSF EPSCoR activities to internal and external audiences, including the National Science Foundation; local, state and national media; and university and external stakeholders
- Lead the creation of printed and digital publications such as newsletters, flyers, rack cards, brochures, reports, etc., in coordination with University Communications
- Serve as liaison with University Communications
- Assist in the creation and delivery of professional development activities and resources for teachers
- Lead logistical planning for workshops and events for youth, educators and other participants
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, media or a STEM field with equivalent experience in communications, journalism or media
- Minimum 5 years’ experience leading and implementing communications strategy
- Demonstrated experience with reporting requirements and submissions for federally funded grants
- Demonstrated excellence in writing and editing, including capacity to communicate technical content for public audiences
- Demonstrated experience with event planning, including top-level strategy and event-day logistics
- Demonstrated experience creating and posting web content and managing websites using content management systems, such as Drupal and/or WordPress
- Master’s degree in communications, journalism, media or a STEM field
- Familiarity with NSF EPSCoR program and Montana’s SMART FIRES project
- Basic familiarity with HTML and web accessibility standards
- Experience teaching and/or creating resources for educators
- Experience creating or contracting for high-quality photographs, video or other media assets
- Connections and experience working with Montana stakeholder groups, such as legislature, non-profit agencies, Montana University System, etc
- Balance multiple time-sensitive projects at once while meeting deadlines
- Work as part of a team with collaborators across the Montana University System
- Work independently with limited direction and little to no supervision
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? No
Posting Detail Information
Number Of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Upon Successful Completion Of The Search. Position End Date (if Temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications Will Be
Screening of applications will begin on December 26, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Salary : $26